The pandemic has caused many worries and fears among children and young people.
From next year a new jury will decide on the bad words.Sources used: dpa news agency
A relative or friend disappears without a trace – a horror idea for many. Still, it’s important to keep a cool head – and not post search ads online right away.
If a child goes missing If an adult goes missing Search on social media: Does it make sense or not? Family doctor can provide important information
Anyone who misses a loved one is very worried and wants to embrace them again as soon as possible. And in most cases that is also possible, as Werner Kraus from the Munich police headquarters knows. "The vast majority of missing persons cases are cleared up."
According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, the proportion of people who have been missing for more than a year is around three percent. More than 80 percent of the cases are cleared up after a month.
Nonetheless, if someone suddenly disappears, relatives are very concerned and want to do something.
When a child is missing
The following applies here: Parents are responsible for children and young people and must protect them. If a small child is missing, the police should be called in as soon as possible. "There are no deadlines to wait" emphasizes Kraus.
Quarrel can be a reason for disappearing
With older children or adolescents, it can make sense to consider beforehand whether there might have been trouble and the child did not come home as a result. If so, parents can, for example, call the child’s friends before the police are called.
Missing person report, search, manhunt
How to proceed: Parents then report a missing person to the police. First of all, the emergency services and hospitals are queried via the control center as to whether a child who matches the description is being cared for there. The police will then also search for known points of contact for the child – friends, favorite hiding spots or even playgrounds.
This is followed by a patrol search and, depending on the case, radio announcements or a public manhunt with a photo. "For example, if a seven-year-old child is home by three o’clock and it’s already evening, then the probability of a public manhunt is greater" explains Kraus.
When an adult goes missing
In adults it is a little different because: "Adults over the age of 18 can freely determine their whereabouts" explains Kraus. "If someone disappears, it is not automatically a missing person that needs to be investigated by the authorities."
If there is any indication that the person did not disappear voluntarily, the police will of course look for the person. This applies, for example, if a family man with an intact marriage and appointments made for the next few days suddenly no longer comes home. Or when an adult who urgently needs medical treatment cannot be found or when someone is at risk of suicide.
"A missing person definitely occurs when life and limb are at risk" summarizes Kraus. What happens next: If the police classify the case as a missing person, then the process is similar to that of a missing child.
Certainty is important for those affected
What you can do yourself: If someone has disappeared, most have the hope of seeing them again unharmed. Often this hope is right. But: "One can deal better with certainty, even with a sad one" says Petra Klein. She is a member of the federal executive board and head of the Oldenburg branch of the Weißer Ring victims’ aid. "Without it you will never find peace again."
Therefore, relatives want to do everything possible to gain certainty. First of all, as already described, relatives can search the contact points for the missing person. If an adult has disappeared, you should also look to see whether they have taken their papers, large sums of money and clothing with them – if this is the case, then the assumption is that they disappeared voluntarily, as Klein explains.
Search in social media: useful or not?
It is not uncommon for relatives or friends to use social networks to search for someone. Like much in life, that has two sides, as Klein thinks. "You reach a much larger radius, but you don’t just meet good people." She advises being very careful with the information received in this way and not exposing yourself to it alone.
Search for missing persons: Those affected should only use search ads on the Internet sparingly. (Source: Jens Büttner / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa / tmn)
Kraus from the police headquarters emphasizes on searching via social networks: "To delete that again is practically impossible." For example, if someone was feeling mentally bad and he wanted to take a short break from going into hiding, you couldn’t get rid of such a public search and that person would be branded. "We warn against looking for someone online with a picture and name."
The police publish the pictures of missing persons on a server and then link them on social media – so the data can be deleted again.
General practitioner can provide important information
But there are other ways in which family members can look for someone. For example, you can ask the doctor treating you, advises Klein. "You can ask the attending physician about a bad diagnosis or important medication. Perhaps he can give helpful advice while observing the confidentiality obligation."
Klein also advises not to lose sight of yourself and to strengthen yourself. "Especially when you still have to take responsibility for others, psychotherapeutic advice can be very helpful."
The police have clear criteria: when a japaneese mailorder brides child is considered missing When children disappear: ” uncertainty is the worst ” Child Psychology: The Ten Biggest Disappointments For Children Missing Minors: Child Disappeared – You Should Do This
If someone disappears for a long period of time, relatives should also seek legal advice, because then, for example, the joint ownership situation has to be clarified.
Sources used: dpa news agency
The corona pandemic is shaping life worldwide. Children and young people who already live and work in poverty are hit particularly hard. Kindernothilfe has now published a study on this.
How was the study carried out and what are the effects of the corona crisis? How could Germany help?
Between May and July 2020, Kindernothilfe investigated the situation of children and young people around the world who have to work. The study shows how the challenges for children and their families have worsened since the beginning of the corona pandemic and how they should respond.
How was the study conducted?
Kindernothilfe, together with six children’s rights organizations from Bolivia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines and Zambia, has compiled experience reports and messages from children and young people. 25 boys and 21 girls between the ages of seven and 17 were interviewed. In addition, information from nine reference persons was collected.
The coronavirus can damage these organs
Photo series with 6 pictures
For example, the children have to work as small traders, garbage collectors, street singers, harvest workers, tailors or assistants in bricklayers’ or bakeries.
What are the effects of the corona crisis?
Between May and July there was partial lockdown in Indonesia, the Philippines and Zambia, while strict lockdowns with curfews applied in Bolivia, Guatemala and Kenya. The Corona crisis has therefore not only affected their income, but also the education, nutrition, health and well-being of the children.
Effects on Income
The lockdown and restrictions left many children either unemployed or on significantly lower incomes, the study continued. In addition, many parents have become unemployed or earned less. The poorest sections of the population are particularly affected because they cannot work from home.
Before the pandemic, the work and income of children, adolescents and caregivers were more stable. It was easier for children and young people to find work; they earned more and their earnings were often used to meet basic needs.
AD – Child laborers need a chance to grow up – stop exploitative child labor now!
DISPLAY
Child laborers need a chance at childhood – stop exploitative child labor now!
with your donation to Kindernothilfe
"For me, COVID-19 made everything more difficult" tells an eleven year old girl from Zambia. "We spent the little money we had on food. Now we depend on my uncle in Lusaka, who is also struggling to meet his basic needs."
Effects on Education
In addition, before the corona pandemic, the children were able to invest the money they had earned in education, for example in school fees or school supplies. Now the money is needed to cover the living expenses of the family. In addition, schools were closed in many places during the lockdowns.
Coronavirus: These are the places where the greatest risk lurks
Photo series with 8 pictures
There is often a lack of internet access, a computer or smartphone. A 12 year old from Guatemala explains: "We do our homework, but we don’t get a class because the church doesn’t have a computer. We study with the printed homework given to us by the teacher. We don’t learn much because we get these copies with no explanation on the subject." A 14-year-old from Bolivia also reports that she is hardly learning any more.
Effects on nutrition and health
With lower incomes and limited access to food, many poor families have turned to cheaper and less nutritious foods. This results in malnutrition and weight loss, especially in young children and pregnant women.
Child labor: Many children and young people work in the informal sector. (Source: Lennart Zech / Kindernothilfe)
"When we have work we have good food; but if not, then we just eat whatever we can get or, in the worst case, skip meals" tells a 16-year-old who works as a garbage collector in the Philippines.
Few adolescents have been eating better than before since the pandemic broke out because they are at home all the time – they have even put on weight. However, many have changed their diets to include plant-based foods and have experienced restrictions on access to fruit. Food aid is often not enough to keep all family members satisfied.
The fear of starving to death because of Corona
The pandemic has triggered many worries and fears among children and adolescents. If they had previously thought about whether they would earn enough or whether they would get school and work under one roof, the children are now plagued by serious existential worries and insecurities about the future. "I am afraid of getting Corona and starving because there is no food" for example, a 15-year-old girl from Kenya complains.
In addition to fears, there is stress and exhaustion because many children now have to look after their families and do more household chores. An increase in the suicide rate among working children and young people is already seen in Kenya. Even if many children now have more time to rest, they are bored and see the interruption of life as a great challenge.